We hit the road from the West Richland Maverik promptly at 0700hrs, under bluebird skies accompanied by stiff springtime winds. With cruise controls set at reasonable speeds, we made our way through the bustling metropolis of Tampico and on up to the staging area at the bottom of the Middle Fork, where we aired down to gravel road pressures as there was no snow in sight just yet:
- IMG_6892.JPG (1.14 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6894.JPG (1.93 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6895.JPG (2.19 MiB) Viewed 77 times
Progress up toward Tree Phones and Eagles Nest was rapid, with a few skiffs of snow starting to appear across the road and eventually giving way to full coverage on the roadbed. It was obvious we were the first wheeled vehicles to make the pilgrimage for the season
- IMG_6896.JPG (1.87 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6902.JPG (1.74 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6904.JPG (1.68 MiB) Viewed 77 times
The snow was incredibly forgiving, with traction the likes of which I cannot ever recall if I'm being honest. It was almost like a granular sandpaper... However, that did not entirely preclude the need to actually drive, as the snow was drifted pretty significantly and the consequence of falling off the line were relatively high:
- IMG_6907.JPG (1.51 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6908.JPG (1.37 MiB) Viewed 77 times
We pulled into Eagles Nest for a second to take in the view:
- IMG_6909.JPG (1.77 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6910.JPG (1.33 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6913.JPG (1.2 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6915.JPG (1.55 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6917.JPG (1.48 MiB) Viewed 77 times
Jumping back onto the Middle Fork, we continued our ascent and found more and more snow pack as we gained elevation:
- IMG_6919.JPG (1.58 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6920.JPG (1.29 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6922.JPG (1.43 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6924.JPG (1.78 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6926.JPG (1.35 MiB) Viewed 77 times
The views as we planed out in the burned area were unbelievable:
- IMG_6928.JPG (1.28 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6931.JPG (1.35 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6932.JPG (1.33 MiB) Viewed 77 times
Up to this point, progress had been remarkably easy going and pain free. However, looking at the open spine that separates the burned off area from the actual summit of Darland, we found a little cause for pause and decided to take a scouting hike:
- IMG_6936.JPG (1.42 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6942.JPG (1.36 MiB) Viewed 77 times
The drift was reasonably well packed and just wide enough to provide a sense of security, so we went for it:
- IMG_6940.JPG (1.43 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6941.JPG (1.38 MiB) Viewed 77 times
With seat covers mostly intact, we made the final assault on the summit:
- IMG_6944.JPG (1.37 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6945.JPG (1.15 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6948.JPG (1.22 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6951.JPG (1.18 MiB) Viewed 77 times
OG immediately fired up the cooking device, and I snapped a couple shots with the drone as the fresh mountain air was infused with smoky cheeseburger goodness:
- IMG_6952.JPG (1.33 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6967.JPG (1.52 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- DJI_0102.JPG (1.26 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- DJI_0106.JPG (1.32 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- DJI_0108.JPG (1.38 MiB) Viewed 77 times
Completely enamored with the views and the weather we were enjoying, I snapped a couple more pictures to memorialize the day:
- IMG_6959.JPG (1.46 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6962.JPG (1.39 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6963.JPG (1.68 MiB) Viewed 77 times
Satisfied with our work thus far to become the highest elevation wheeled vehicles in the state, we took stock of the situation and decided to make the full loop and head down toward the North Fork, knowing full well that the shelf road near the switchback might be sketchy... Turns out it was, and I didn't like it one bit, but boy was it fun:
- IMG_6969.JPG (1.62 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6970.JPG (1.8 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6971.JPG (1.5 MiB) Viewed 77 times
The remainder of the trip down the North Fork was largely uneventful, and we made our way down the dirtpile and back to pavement to air up for the trip home:
- IMG_6973.JPG (1.89 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6976.JPG (1.77 MiB) Viewed 77 times
- IMG_6979.JPG (1.9 MiB) Viewed 77 times
Per the rulebook, we made a quick detour into Yakivegas for the requisite milkshake an Miner's:
- IMG_6980.JPG (1.21 MiB) Viewed 77 times
This midweek getaway had been absolutely stellar from start to finish, top to bottom. Can't wait to do it again
